MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

GLOSSARY OF COMMONLY USED PHYSICAL THERAPY TERMS

 Calcaneal spur
Also called calcaneal enthesopathy,
where there is repetitive microtrauma
at the attachment of the Achilles
tendon resulting in the formation of a
spur, extending from the calcaneum
into the tendon.
Calcaneal Varum Calcaneal Valgum

Normal heel angle

 Calcaneal Varum
Calcaneal Varum:
Angling of the heel of the foot inward, thereby
increasing or heightening the arch of the foot .
Calcaneal Valgum

Calcaneal Valgum: Angling of the heel

of the foot outward, thereby flattening
the arch of the foot.
 CAPSULITIS

Inflammation present in the joint capsule. The group of

synovial joints (those which are surrounded bya sac of
synovial fluid) possesses a set of ligaments that allow the
stabilization of the joint and provide it with cells offering
proprioceptive capabilities (recognition of one’s position in
space). This inflammation provokes pain and retraction:
the shortening and loss of elasticity of fibers, resulting in
noticeable loss of movement in the affected joint.
 Carpal tunnel

A "tunnel" formed at
the wrist, by the flexor
retinaculum and the
carpal bones.
 Carpal tunnel syndrome

Where there is compression

of the median nerve in the
carpal tunnel, resulting in
sensory and motor
disturbances of the hand.
 Cartilage
Connective tissue that covers
the ends of bones and acts as a
cushion to absorb shock and a
smooth surface to decrease
friction between two or more
bones in a moving joint.
 Cauda equina
Lower end of the spinal cord.
Cauda equina latin for horse tail
 Cavitation
Production of gas from liquid
It is phenomenon in which rapid changes of
pressure in a liquid lead to formation of small
bubbles in place where the pressure is
relatively low. When subjected to higher
pressure theses cavities collapse and can
generate intense shock wave
 Cervical spine
Seven vertebrae- C1- C7
articulate with the occiput
superiorly and the T1
vertebra inferiorly,
commonly known as the neck.
 Chondromalacia patellae
Common name given to softening
of the articular cartilage on the
undersurface of the patella,
commonly seen in adolescents
and commonly associated with
functional and biomechanical
deficiencies of the patellofemoral joint.
 Cobb angle
the most widely used measurement
to quantify the magnitude of spinal
deformities, especially in the case
of scoliosis on plain radiographs.
No scoliosis < 10
Mild scoliosis 10-30
Moderate scoliosis 30-45
Sever scoliosis > 45
More than 60 lead to respiratory complication
 Coccydynia
Pain around the coccyx
often caused by local
trauma,or by persistant
irritation from wrong
sitting but may also be
a referred pain syndrome
from the lumbar spine.
 Colle's fracture
A common fracture to
the distal radius usually
brought about by a fall
onto the outstretched hand.
 Compartment syndrome
compartment syndrome Occurs when excessive pressure build up
inside an enclosed muscle space in body. It usually result from
bleeding or swelling after injury.
It may be acute result from fracture , burn , prolonged
compression and blood clotting, develops over few hours or may
be chronic result from regular and vigorous exercises, develops
over days or weeks
symptoms : pain, swelling and numbness
Diagnosis: Often confirmed by using catheter pressure testing.
 Conjoint tendon
The common tendinous insertion of transversus abdominis and internal oblique at
the pectineal line and pubic crest.
 Contracture
Occurs when a joint
loses motion due to
structural changes in
the muscle, ligaments
or tendons. Contractures
are common in stroke as
a result of lack of movement.
 Contusion
A bruise often associated with blunt trauma.
For example : knee contusion due to fall
directly on knee or some thing hitting
knee such as ball
 Continuous passive motion (CPM)

A form of passive mobilization, assisting in the recovery of

cartilage. Used commonly following knee reconstructions.
 Core
Pertaining to the trunk (primarily abdominals
and back).
 Corticosteroids
Anti-inflammatory medication. Can be taken
orally (not common) or as an injectable,
particularly in superficial tissues undergoing
inflammatory pathology.
 Costochondral junction
Junction between rib
and costal cartilage
commonly disrupted
in contact sports.
 Crepitus
A grinding noise or sensation within a
joint.Commonly felt in knees, particularly
on change of position after a long period
of time
 De Quervain's disease
Inflammation of the tendons
and sheath of abductor
longus and extensor pollicis brevis
in the first dorsal compartment
of the wrist, with subsequent
thickening and stenosis.
 Deep transverse frictions
Cross fiber, deep massage. Often a technique
utilized on scar tissue and chronic tendon
disorders.
 Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Blockage of the deep veins,

particularly common in the calf.
Often mistaken for calf strain,
the DVT is characterised by
sharp pain in the calf, swelling,
worsening with foot dependency
and relief with elevation, tenderness
and possibly some ecchymosis.
 Deformity
A major difference in the shape
of a body part compared to what
is normal for that body part.
Deformity is most often seen
in arthritis and sometimes in
severe burn cases.
 Dermatome
Area of skin supplied by one spinal segment.
 Disc herniation

Often used interchangeably with

disc prolapse, disc bulge, slipped
disc etc. Disruption to the normal
integrity of the intervertebral disc,
causing the nucleus pulposus to
breach the annular fibres internally.
 Discectomy
Surgical removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus.
 Dupuytren's contracture
A fibrous proliferation in the palmar
fascia of the hand, that gradually
produces a flexion deformity of the
metacarpophalangeal and proximal
interphalangeal joints.
 Dura mater
Thickest, outermost covering
of the spinal cord and spinal
nerves. Also lines the inside
of the skull.
 Dynamometer
Mechanical instrumentation
that allows for measurement of
concentric and eccentric muscle
action, muscle endurance and
muscle balance ratios. Usually
associated with isokinetic testing,
variable, accommodating
resistance.
 Distal
Farthest from the center, from midline or
from the trunk
 Dynamic
Pertaining to vital forces or inherent
power; refers to the body in motion;
opposite of stationary or static
Example: dynamic balance is the ability of an
object to balance while in motion or switching
between positions.
Thank
you
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